"We are delighted that the Primates of the Anglican Communion have decisively affirmed historic Biblical faith and practice," said the Rev. John Guernsey, dean of the Mid-Atlantic Convocation. "We have been assured that the teaching of orthodox Anglicans in North America is consistent with the teaching of the world-wide Anglican Communion, and we renew our commitment to the Communion. The landscape of the Communion has been changed radically by the Primates."

The Primates' Communiqué not only upheld the authority of Scripture but also re-affirmed Lambeth 1.10 as the Communion's official teaching on human sexuality. Their decision to request the United States and Canada to withdraw from the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) was unprecedented: never before has a province been instructed to stand down for a specific time frame. The Primates have made it clear that failure to embrace and uphold Biblical teaching and practice will result in permanent consequences.

The group meeting in Atlanta also expressed gratitude to the Primates for addressing the need to protect those in hostile dioceses as well as dioceses which have not yet determined to walk together with the Anglican Communion. The appointment of a "panel of reference" that will "supervise the adequacy of pastoral provisions" for those in "serious theological dispute" with their diocesan bishops or provinces offers fresh hope and a new beginning for those who have struggled with revisionist theology and acts of oppression for decades. Again, such direct intervention by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates in another province is unparalleled.

"We believe this intervention is critical given the inadequate nature and proven failure of the Episcopal Church's Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight (DEPO) plan and the Shared Episcopal Ministry (SEM) proposal in the Anglican Church of Canada," said the Rev. Dr. Trevor Walters, Anglican Essentials Canada Council. "We eagerly await formation of the panel of reference and are committed to assisting individual clergy and congregations engage the process offered."

In the transitional period following February's meeting, the Anglican Communion Network and Anglican Essentials Canada remain committed to addressing shared fundamental needs of congregations including the jurisdictional oversight provided by godly bishops who have chosen to walk with the Communion; connection with the world-wide Communion; security for clergy to minister without fear of retribution or hindrance; and protection of property.

Participants of the Atlanta meeting also pledged support for Bishop Robert Duncan, ACN Moderator, in his leadership of assembling and moving forward numerous Anglican entities in a Common Cause partnership. In addition, the Network deans and Anglican Essentials leaders expressed commitment to assisting congregations to understand and respond as realignment unfolds.

"We maintain our commitment to be submitted to God, confident, passionate and encouraging," noted Bishop Duncan, who was present for part of the meeting. "We are a biblical missionary movement fully connected with the Anglican Communion, dedicated to changing lives and transforming the world in Christ."

A series of conferences is being planned to provide a forum to discuss details and future ramifications of the Primates' Communiqué. The first, "From Surviving to Thriving: Anglicans in the 21st Century," is scheduled for April 1-2, 2005 in Woodbridge, Virginia, and featured speakers include Archbishop Gregory Venables, Bishop Robert Duncan, Canon David C. Anderson.

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